Chapter 3: Home
It was daybreak when the group finally approached Hogwarts. The twins and Harry talked most of the way. They discussed Quidditch, the joke shop, and anything else they could think of. When Harry spotted the Astronomy Tower, he turned on the speed and flew as hard and fast as he could towards the school, his home. The only other person to keep up with him was Charlie Weasley.
As they landed in front of the wooden doors, they heard the deep Scottish accent of Minerva McGonagall behind the doors. "Severus I told you already, they should be here any moment." At that moment, she opened the doors and saw the two best seekers in Hogwarts History standing before her.
"Where are the others?" They both pointed behind them where the others were all coming in for a landing.
Bill reached them first and promptly scoffed them both on the back of their heads. "Where in the hell did you learn to fly like that? My gods you are both out of your god damn minds! Professor McGonagall, sorry for the outburst, the Headmaster said you had sleeping quarters already arranged?"
Minerva smiled at the former head boy, "You are all staying in the tower in your old rooms, and no Bill, the Head Boy's dorms are not available. You all may…fly to the tower if wish, the password is Loyalty."
Without another word, Harry, Bill, Charlie, Fred and George all flew through the halls towards Gryffindor Tower.
When three o'clock in the afternoon rolled around, Harry Potter rolled out of bed and right onto the floor. I never knew how tired flying all night I could get. Harry was stirred from his thoughts by the sound of a phoenix laughing and an owl hooting like it was laughing.
Well it might be laughter Harry thought. Sitting on a perch that was not there when he passed out was Hedwig and a fully mature Fawkes.
"Alright you too, neither of you flew here last night so shut up." Harry got to his feet and began to go through his trunk looking for a change of clothes and toiletry set. As he headed for the shower, Fawkes gave a shrill and flew over to Harry and dropped him a rolled up parchment. As soon as Harry caught it, Fawkes disappeared in burst of flame.
Harry:
Please come to my office after you have gotten cleaned up. We will have a late lunch.
APBWD
P.S. – I like Mountain Dew ;-)
Harry chuckled and continued to the bathroom for a long shower. After he got a dressed he proceeded down to the common room where he saw the older Weasley brothers were gathered.
To Harry's surprise, Percy was there amongst the brothers. He had a black eye, severe bruising, and it looked like he was favoring his right arm. Percy spotted Harry first and moved over to stand in front of him. "Harry, I would like to apologize for my behavior over the past year. As I'm sure you'll find out, I have been taking a potion unwillingly that work similarly like the Imperious Curse. Anyway, I wanted to apologize to you before I head to the infirmary. As you can tell, I need to go see Madam Pomfrey."
"Percy, please tell me the boys didn't do this to you?" The twins looked somewhat ashamed at this comment, 'Probably because they either thought about it already, or because they actually knocked the hell out him.'
"Well Fred and George did attack me, but it was only because I broke into their shop. They have a…unique security plan."
George piped up with the story "Once we got to the shop today, we found him in this state by the back door. When we brought him around, he looked like a wild animal and…began to tell us about this nightmare he's been living for the last year."
As they started talking, they slowly made their way to the hospital wing. Bill had quietly sent his patronus, a Lion, to Dumbledore. "You see Harry, Fudge and Umbridge have been spiking my tea with this potion for the last year. They wanted a rift in the family. The problem started 3 nights ago, when I left the office, I always swung by the Minister's office for a night cap. I believe that is when he would spike my drink with a very potent dosage. Anyway, three nights ago I ran into Penny-Penelope Clearwater from Ravenclaw- and we went out to dinner. I had completely forgotten about my nightly night cap.
"Over the course of dinner, I began to realize that I had huge chunks of my memory missing. I began to explain this to Penny, and we realized that I had been controlled. Well, I told Penny to go home and pack some items and go somewhere for awhile because I thought it wasn't safe for her, especially with dining with me the night I began to realize something was wrong. I then returned to the Ministry and started going over everything in my office."
As they continued to walk, Dumbledore and McGonagall both joined the group. "I found my tea cup and noticed some residue. I then made the leap to the night cap I was invited to that night. I quickly packed all my items and found some very incriminating files. I took them all, shrunk them, and left for my flat. What I didn't know was that I was being followed. When I reached my flat, I was attacked. I managed to get away, but I had no where to go. I tried to go to the Burrow, but I couldn't find it. So I went to Diagon Alley. When I saw the sign advertising Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, I knew that I was finally safe because I felt the family wards. I made it to the back door and walked in, where I promptly passed out."
At Harry's blank look Fred explained "You see Harry, all of the pureblood families have their secrets. Some include potions, some spells, others runes and wards. The Weasley Family's secret is wards and curse breaking; it's one of the reasons why Bill is so good at breaking into tombs. Our family wards that were created hundreds of years ago. Anyway, there are family wards around all of our properties, the Burrow, Bill's Flat in London, Charlie's house in Romania, and of course the shop. When we bought the building, we had Bill place the wards around the building as a nighttime security plan. It is keyed to Weasley Blood, our employees, Lee Jordan, Katie, Angelina, Alicia, Oliver Wood, and members of the Order. Oh yeah, we added you and Hermione too. The trick to this is that you cannot enter if you wish to harm anyone keyed to the wards. So you can image our surprise when we floo'd to work today and found Percy in such bad shape. We immediately floo'd here and you know the rest."
By this time the group arrived in the hospital wing. Professor Dumbledore nodded "A wise security measure gentlemen. Percy, I believe that under the circumstances we should find Ms Clearwater and bring her here for her safety. If I remember correctly, her parents were killed in a muggle automobile accident last year."
Percy nodded slowly, "Yes sir they were. Her flat is over on Grimmauld Place, Number 27 if I remember correctly. It's not exactly a nice part of town, and I have noticed a large Wizarding presence as of late. I think there is a property either unplottable, or under a Fidelius Charm around there somewhere. I would appreciate it if you could make sure she is alright. I would hate to think that You- Know-Who is hiding out in her neighborhood." Percy said as he winced in pain.
"We will find her, Percy and take her to a safe location." Dumbledore thought for a moment then spoke again, "And for your information Percy, The Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix is #12 Grimmauld Place." Percy's eyes suddenly went lack but then retuned to normal after a moment. They he suddenly began to laugh, a deep, deep belly laugh that caught everyone but surprise.
"Well I do feel better now sir. The Anti-Vol-Vol-Voldermort's Headquarters is right down the street, that's just too much."
Albus smiled at the lost Weasley, then returned his attention to the others, "William, Charles, please alert Remus and have him help you locate her. George, Fred, I want you to remain here until your father returns. Harry, please come with me, we have some very urgent business to address." With orders given out, everybody dispersed.
10 minutes later, Harry and Albus were sitting in the Headmaster's office sipping tea. "Well Harry, you had an interesting morning."
Harry only nodded. "Well to business then. First off, once everyone is safe in the castle, we will have the reading of Sirius' Will at Gringotts. Also while we are there, I plan to have the emancipation papers signed that will make you an adult in the wizarding world." Harry was beyond shocked. Harry would be considered an adult in a matter of hours. He looked up at Dumbledore who smiled and continued.
"I have decided that the only way you can survive this war and be a teenager is for you to free of other's control, including mine. I was…reminded that I cannot control everything. Now as an adult, you will full access to your family vaults and any property you own. I do not know of any property besides Godric's Hollow and the Ranch in America. I believe it is located in a place called Wyoming…but I digress; Potter Manor, which is your ancestral home, is behind a modified Fidelius Charm, the goblins at Gringotts should be able to help us with that matter. Now to the important matter, I plan to train you myself and take you on as my apprentice. The Ministry has ordered me not to take an apprentice, or face rather severe punishments."
Harry spoke up, "Sir, why would the ministry not allow you to take an apprentice?"
Dumbledore sighed deeply "You see Harry, when I defeated Grindelwald; I was feared by many people. I was considered the most powerful wizard alive, and with good reason, I defeated a dark lord who had killed millions of people. When I returned to England, I was given a choice, either take an oath to the Ministry saying that I would never take an apprentice, or spend the rest of my life either in Azkaban or some sort of exile. I chose to take the oath and I have remained here at Hogwarts ever since."
Harry was about to ask the question he wanted answered but Dumbledore beat him to it. "You see in the wizarding world, when a Master takes an apprentice; he transfers memories and skills to the apprentice. Once this ritual is complete, the apprentice then applies his new knowledge into practical lessons under the guidance of his master. These memories are not just of the maser, but all the masters before him. They are passed down from a Master to his apprentice over hundreds of years. My Master was my very good Nicholas Flammel who learned from a wizard that time has forgotten by the name of Cedric Potter; he was your many, many, many time great uncle.
"The Ministry is afraid that my apprentice could possibly take my knowledge and become a new dark lord. Of course they did not know how I defeated Grindelwald for that very reason. Once we have completed the ritual, you will know as well." Harry just nodded. "Of course what they don't understand is the fact every single master and apprentice that has come from this line of Masters and apprentices have one very unique quality, we are all Phoenix Animagi. As you know, a phoenix is a creature of the light and cannot turn dark."
After a few minutes of pregnant silence Dumbledore continued, "The legal troubles will only trouble us for a few days. As you may or may not know, the Ministry is very close to going through a total change. Fudge will be removed from office within two weeks. With the implication of poisoning Percy Weasley, I believe this will be done even faster. Once the new Minister, Amelia Bones I hope, is sworn in, I plan to inform her that I have taken you as my apprentice. Amelia is many things; intelligent, fair, trustworthy, honest, and down to earth are some of her strongest qualities. Once I explain why I have done this, we shouldn't have any problems.
"Now, once you have become my apprentice, you will become an assistant professor Harry. You will officially serve as assistant to the Headmaster and assistant Head of Gryffindor House. In order to facilitate your lessons, I will train you in a number of subjects along with Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape; now before you ask, you will not be learning Occlumency from Severus, but rather from me.
"Severus will only tutor you in potions and will be supervised at all times. I am giving you permission to do whatever you deem necessary while in lessons with him to defend yourself. That includes using your wand. I would prefer there be another way, but Severus is somewhat…stubborn…in dealing with you and other non Slytherin students. All I ask is that you do all you to be prepared for your lessons with all of us. You will also be inducted into the Order of the Phoenix. Do you have any questions so far Harry?" Harry just shook his head in a negative response.
Albus used a little Legilimency to see that Harry was trying to process everything he was told. As he was pulling out of Harry's mind, he noticed something, a block of some kind on his magic.
That is odd. Harry should not have any blocks on his magic. He is magically strong now. Besides we would have noticed…Oh bugger…
"Harry, when you arrived at school, did anyone ever check to see if your powers were bound?" With Harry's blank look Albus knew his answer,
"Allow me to explain, many wizarding families bind an infant or toddler's power so that they cannot lash out and hurt themselves or others. This is normally very good because accidental magic, as you know, has the ability to kill. The family normally removes the bind on their magic shortly before they board the Hogwarts Express the first time. You see Harry, when your magic is released; it normally overwhelms the child and causes them to tire easily. It is one of the main reasons why we have the train take so long to make it to school. This allows time for many students to sleep off any fatigue they may still have. In Muggleborn children, we bind their power when their accidental magic triggers certain sensors. Then after they receive their Hogwarts letter and a visit from a member of the staff, we explain what has happened. That staff member then arranges to escort the new student and their family to Diagon Alley to by supplies. At the end of the shopping trip, the professor removes the block. That is why you see so many first year Muggleborns go to Diagon Alley the last week of August?
"Now, in your case, though you are not Muggleborn, you grew up one. So the board of governors ordered that you be escorted to Diagon Alley. I sent Hagrid as you know. According to what he told me, your powers were never bound because of the power you displayed. We all carry a crystal with like this one." Albus held up a small crystal about the size of galleon.
"It measures the amount a magic within a person. Now, just now I felt something inside of you, I used Legilimency and found what I believe is a block on your magic."
"But sir, how I can I have a block? I have just as much power as other students. I mean some spells are hard, but they should be."
"Yes Harry, you are normally number 2 in your theory studies, only behind Ms Granger. However you exceed her in practical applications. I believe that your under fed look is directly tied to your magical block. In witches and wizards, our magic is what keeps us healthy. The food we eat is used to recharge our magical core. It is why when our magical reserves are drained Madam Pomfrey gets upset with all of us."
Harry took all this information in for a moment. For some reason his magic was stronger then what it should be for someone his age.
'Ok, I understand that, I am a very strong wizard. So if I have this block, then how much more power will I have.'
Dumbledore must have been using Legilimency on him again because Dumbledore answered his questions, "Yes Harry, you are very strong; I believe that your power will match my own. I would like to remove your block before we begin the apprenticeship ritual."
"Ok Professor, what do I need to do?"
"Just relax Harry." Harry closed his eyes and began to relax. He tried to concentrate on the feeling in his stomach. It was warm and comforting.
Suddenly Harry's body exploded in heat. The spot where Harry had been concentrating seemed to explode in size. The last thing Harry thought before falling into blackness was that he was going to wind up in the hospital wing before school even starts.